CELL-MOVEMENT ANALYSIS IN A NECROTACTIC ASSAY

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (1) , 107-121
Abstract
The methods of statistical physics were applied to analysis of cell movement. Human leukocytes (granulocytes) were observed using time-lapse photography. The paths of the migrating cells were determined. The chemokinetic response at 35.degree. C is described by the diffusion constant (D = 233 .mu.m2/min) and the track velocity (25 .mu.m/min). A time-dependent chemotactic gradient is created by killing an erythrocyte by an intense laser flash. The chemotactic response at 35.degree. C is described by the degree of polar orientation (P1 = 0.85), the track velocity 24 .mu.m/min and the drift velocity towards the necrotactic source (v.dblvert. = 20 .mu.m/min). The track velocity as well as the drift velocity show a broad distribution. The half-width of the velocity distribution is .apprx. 5 .mu.m/min. Cell movement can be described by elementary moving states. The characteristic time of the internal clock of the migrating cell is .apprx. 0.5 min. The information transfer from the necrotactic gradient to the migrating cell apparently is 1 bit/change in directed movement. A migrating cell cannot be stimulated within a period of .apprx. 10 s after the last decision to adapt a new moving direction.

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